Starting a clothing company is an exciting project, but it can be daunting when choosing between a wholesale business plan and a dropship business plan. You’ve found a few options for starting your clothing business, including selling products with an inventory using a wholesale clothing supplier or a dropshipping business plan. However, before jumping into either one, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons, how wholesale clothing suppliers work, and how you can use this model to benefit your clothing company.
Supply Models for Online Clothing Businesses
There are two main supply models for an online clothing business:
Wholesale Business Plan
A wholesale business plan is an excellent option for a clothing company that wants to sell its products to large retailers. A wholesale business plan will outline how much inventory you will need, how you will get your products to your customers, and how you will price your products.
Dropship Business Plan
A dropship business plan is an incredible option for a clothing company that wants to sell its products directly to consumers. A dropship business plan will outline how you source your products, get your products to your customers, and price your products.
Wholesale Clothing Suppliers: The Benefits
Wide Product Selection: A wholesale clothing supplier will have a wide range of products to choose from, so you will likely to find a product that fits your company’s unique niche.
Low Minimum Order Size: A wholesale clothing supplier will often require a smaller order size than a dropshipping business, giving more control over your inventory and pricing.
Access to a Large Network of Customers: A wholesale clothing supplier has relationships with large retailers, allowing access to a large customer base.
Immediate Order Delivery: A wholesale clothing supplier will often have a fast order delivery process to start selling your products immediately.
Price Quotations: A wholesale clothing supplier will often provide you with quotations ahead of ordering and offer better prices for large orders. Take wholesale hoodies. Buying a pullover hoodie wholesale will allow you to buy them for much less than if you purchased each one individually.
Dropshipping: The Benefits
Low Upfront Investment: A dropshipping business plan is often much less expensive than a wholesale business plan.
No Inventory Costs: A dropshipping business plan does not require purchasing any inventory, eliminating upfront costs.
Making a Decision Based on Your Business Goals
Another significant difference between a wholesale clothing supplier and the dropship model is that each will help with different business goals. For example, a wholesale clothing supplier will be the best option if you are trying to build a brand around your clothing business.
They will allow you to control your inventory, so quality control and providing product samples to ensure they are happy with the product will be easier.
If you want to start selling your clothing online as quickly as possible, a dropship business plan may be your best option. A dropship business will allow sourcing your products from many suppliers, but your profit margins will be much smaller.
A wholesale clothing supplier and the dropship model have benefits and drawbacks, so deciding which is best for your business goals is vital before starting your clothing company.
Starting Your Online Clothing Business
When starting up your online clothing business, there are five key areas to plan.
Product Line
Start by choosing which product lines you will sell. Is the brand a casual clothing line or an athleisure line? Will you only sell dresses or will you also sell pants and shirts? Once you have decided on your product line, you need to decide what type of clothing you will sell. Will you sell items individually, or will you sell packs of items?
Store Layout
Once you have decided on your product line and what type of clothing you will sell, you need to decide on the store layout. For example, will you have a different online clothing store for men, women, and children? Will you have separate sections for home, work, and play? Once you have decided on the store layout, you need to decide on your online store’s theme and color scheme.
Product Images
Now that you have decided on the product line, store layout, and type of clothing, you need to decide on the images for your product listings. Will you use stock images, or will you create your images? Do you want to use images representative of your product line, or will you use a unique image for each product?
Product Description
Your product description is where you will describe the product in detail. Will you use keywords in your product description? What type of information will you include?
Pricing
Now that you have decided on the product line, store layout, type of clothing, images, and product description, it’s time to decide on the prices for your products. Do you want to sell your products at a fixed price, or will you allow your customers to choose?
Once you have planned out these five key areas, it’s time to start designing your website and placing your first order with an online wholesale clothing supplier.
Starting Your Online Clothing Company
When you’re ready to start selling your own clothing online, Bella + Canvas is the premier online wholesale clothing supplier. They have a wide range of products to choose from, so you’re sure to find suitable clothing for your company.
